Breadcrumb

Jamie D'Ath: How My Apprenticeship #WorksForMe

“It was when an engineering teacher at school signed me up for the WorldSkills competition in mobile robotics that I started to realise engineering would be right for me.”

Find out what led award winning MBDA Apprentice, Jamie D’Ath, to choose an Apprenticeship and take a closer look at her experiences over the last four years.

Jamie originally wanted to be a Veterinary Nurse when she was younger but after taking up some work experience at a local vets, she decided that this was not the path for her. An engineering teacher signed Jamie up to a local robotics competition where she met some MBDA employees who helped her to realise just how many options there are in engineering. Her passion for both Mathematics and Art seemed to fit perfectly with the skillset required to excel in the industry.

After completing her A-Levels, Jamie joined the MBDA Apprenticeship programme. During her first year, she completed a BTEC in Engineering via day release at college and then went on to study for her HNC in Mechanical engineering. After achieving all Distinctions, she is now completing her HND.

The MBDA Apprenticeship has allowed Jamie to gain valuable business experience as well as a great insight into where her career could take her.

“My placements have offered me a variety of opportunities and experiences which have allowed me to identify my strengths and weaknesses, what I enjoy a lot and what I don’t enjoy so much – they have really helped me to get a feel of where I’d like to focus my career going forward and get a better understanding of the business as a whole.”

Since joining the programme, Jamie has analysed procurement statistics, conducted simulation tests on parts, planned and completed product trials with a Field Support Team, created complex drawings for products and tested materials for parts in the lab. For her final placement as an Apprentice, she has chosen to work within the Trials Team after enjoying her initial experience of the department earlier in the programme.

The Apprenticeship has also taken Jamie to places she never thought she’d go. She’s the 2017 winner of the IET Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices, Finalist for the 2017 WISE One to Watch Award and has appeared in publications such as Cosmopolitan magazine and Huffington Post, helping to combat the stereotypes that exist in regards to engineering.

When asked what advice she would give to anyone considering an Apprenticeship she said; “Do your research and explore the opportunities on offer before picking the one you feel is most appropriate for you and then, when you have it, look to devote yourself to taking all of the opportunities provided and progress your career where possible to get the best out of it”.